brave

put a brave face/front on something

to behave in a way that makes people think you are happy when you are not. They've had some bad luck, but they've put a brave face on their problems. She's very ill but she's putting a brave front on it. (= making people believe her illness does not worry her)

See also: face, front

put on a brave face/front

put a brave face/front on something - to behave in a way that makes people think you are happy when you are not. He doesn't seem upset about losing. Do you think he's just putting on a brave face?

See also: face, front

---

put on a brave face

to act confident in a difficult situation. The engineers have put on a brave face, saying the telescope can easily be repaired.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form put a brave face on something: She puts a brave face on everything, but you know that she is worried.

See also: face

put up a brave front

put on a brave face

See also: front